Ducati 1199 Superleggera: ‘highest power-to-weight ratio in history’

DUCATI has released official pictures and specifications of the super-exotic 1199 Superleggera.

As predicted, the limited edition makes 200hp according to Ducati claims – 7hp more than BMW’s S1000RR.

The weight is 155kg dry and 177kg wet. That's only 6kg more than KTM's tiny Duke 390 and 17kg less than a Honda CBR500R.

The 1198cc V-twin makes 98.8lbft of torque.

At 1.29hp per kg, Ducati are claiming the Superleggera has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production bike in history, and we’re not about to argue. Shame only 500 are to be built, and sold by invitation.

The low weight is courtesy of what Ducati calls a ‘precious cocktail of materials such as titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre’.

The Superleggera is based on the already high-spec 1199 Panigale R, but with a magnesium frame and wheels. The rear sub-frame and bodywork are carbon fibre and the exhaust titanium with stainless steel headers.

Many of the bolts and fasteners on both engine and chassis are also titanium according to Ducati.

Suspension is from Öhlins at both ends, with a titanium spring at the rear. Brakes are Brembo M50 Monobloc.

The engine has new titanium exhaust valves and two-ring pistons, which Ducati says reduce mass and friction.

The firm is offering a race kit, including an Akrapovic exhaust system, which gives 5hp more and cuts weight by 2.5kg. We can see why you’d need that.

The Superleggera has an electronics package including a new wheelie control sytem, along with traction control and engine braking control. It also records and displays lean angle.

The price is £54,000, which, if you’re one those invited to buy, you may already know.

The bike will be displayed at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan next month.

Ducati’s release on the bike says: 'Celebrating the Italian manufacturer’s commitment to performance technology and lightweight construction, Ducati now proudly introduces its latest limited edition dream model, the highly exclusive 1199 Superleggera. The new machine combines a precious cocktail of materials such as titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre to set the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production motorcycle in history. Producing more than 200hp and weighing-in at just 155kg* (341.7lb*), Ducati showcase their innovative engineering and stylish approach to design, while affirming the maxim: “Authentic Italian Performance”.

'The Superleggera follows in the successful wheel tracks of previous iconic limited editions, like the Desmosedici RR, with its exclusivity boldly underlined with just 500 examples of this extraordinary machine being assembled at Ducati’s headquarters in Bologna, Italy, each with its own individual number inscribed on the top clamp.

'With its baseline starting from the already impressive 1199 Panigale ‘R’ specification, the Superleggera incorporates a magnesium monocoque frame and forged Marchesini magnesium wheels before taking lightweight to the extreme with a carbon fibre rear sub-frame and bodywork, lithium-ion battery (LIB) and full titanium exhaust system with stainless steel headers. Many of the bolts and fasteners on both engine and chassis are also fashioned in titanium. Additional enhancements include lightweight Öhlins FL916 front suspension with fully-machined fork bottoms and an Öhlins TTX36 rear suspension with titanium spring. The Superleggera’s Brembo M50 Monobloc brakes inherit a racing-style MCS 19-21 front master cylinder and remote adjuster and its final drive gets upgraded with a lightweight Ergal rear sprocket, and World Superbike-spec 520 drive chain. Finer attention to detail is hidden in the shape of the carbon fibre body work, which is moulded with the same high-penetration form normally provided by the “R” spec add-on aero-kit.

'The Superquadro engine, which sports titanium con-rods and inlet valves, now adds titanium exhaust valves, and, for the first time on a Ducati street engine, special two-ring pistons. These pistons, usually found on racing Superbikes, use short skirts and only two rings (compression and oil), allowing them to dramatically reduce mass and friction. To further increase performance, the combustion chamber is also modified to Superbike specs by a new piston crown that increases compression ratio. Added to this is a super-lightened crankshaft, precision balanced using dense tungsten inserts. The enhancements result in an incredible output of more than 200hp as it rolls out of Ducati’s Borgo Panigale factory in Bologna, Italy.

'The Superleggera’s outstanding power-to-weight ratio can be enhanced even further with the supplied track-only Race Kit**. The kit, which increases power by 5hp and reduces weight by 2.5kg (5.5 lb), consists of a titanium Akrapovic race exhaust system including silencers and 2-in-1 collector, high racing windscreen, dedicated dust cover, front and rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, and removal kits for the registration plate holder, and sidestand.

'The model’s electronics are also upgraded thanks to the new system for managing front-wheel lift Ducati
Wheelie Control (DWC) which is based on an Inertial Platform. This DWC system, along with Ducati
Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC), is optimized with new automatic calibration of rear tyre size and final transmission ratio. The Ducati Data Analysis+ (DDA+) system adds an additional sensor and software channel to record and display vehicle lean angles. This impressive array of included electronics is completed by a set of race-derived, handlebar mounted control buttons to enable rapid, on track adjustments to the levels of the pre-selected channels of DTS, DWC, or EBC.

'Appropriate to its highly exclusive status as one of the most exotic and desirable Ducatis of all time, the 1199 Superleggera is exquisitely dressed in Ducati Corse Red base livery, complemented with forged and machined magnesium wheels.'